Do I need an iPad?

[jpg7n16]

So I've been really wanting an iPad - but don't really know if I need it.

I use my blu-ray for movies.
Computer (desktop) for internet.
iPhone for messaging, mobile internet, and Angry Birds

They seem so cool, but are they worth it?

What do you use your's for?

[jmb162]

I know a few people who have them and love them but I see them as just being a toy. It would be fun to play games on it but to get work done I would choose my laptop. Ever since they first came out it actually surprised me how popular they've got. This is just my opinion. If you really want it then I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

A tablet I was actually looking into though was a nook, so I could read books on it.

Good luck!

[rob62521]

I have an iPad. It was a birthday gift from my husband last January because I'm a techy person. I enjoy using it, but could I live without it? You bet! If you use Microsoft products on your computer, you have to purchase an app to use them on the iPad unless you want to do read only. If I had to do a lot of typing, I wouldn't choose the iPad. It's just a fun thing to have and enjoy.

[Mjenn]

I got one when my Acer netbook got injured again and the amount I spent on repairs was almost twice what I had paid for the thing. I had gotten an old macbook from a friend and had an iphone and thought they did pretty well, so I decided to get an ipad instead of a new netbook. I use it alot and greatly prefer it to my netbook - I need something very lightweight because I tend to work out of several offices/day and need to carry a lot of stuff around on my back.

I use mine for business - I often need to play a recording or use powerpoint - and I have everything I need on my I pad.

I use mine for school -I'm doing a masters program and take all of my notes on it - I have also used it to read some textbooks as e-books and that worked well too.

I use mine for travelling with little kids. I have a toddler, we fly across the atlantic ALOT - have a bunch of great apps for just that kind of thing.

I still have my laptop - its getting old and I would have gotten a new one already if I didn't have the Ipad which I do most of my netsurfing on as well.

For me it was a good solution, altho the one thing I don't like is that I live in fear of the day I drop it - I will probably invest in a better protective case for it for Christmas.

[dojo]

I have a Nook Color bought few months ago. It cost me 250, instead of almost 700 as one iPad was. I can read books, I have various applications on it. I could have 'traded in' for an ipad (if it wasn't OK, I'd use it for 14 days then get my money back and buy an ipad), but I LOVE IT. It's smaller, not as 'cool', but really does the job.

My HP Pavilion which actually puts food on the table for my entire family cost me 560 bucks. I don't see why a gizmo that can't even run Photoshop should cost more

[jteezie]

Depends on how heavily you use those features.

Video - The idea of watching streaming movies seems good, but you have to hold the ipad for extended periods. Also a tv is about the same price, so is this a good substitute?

Internet usage. I find the ipad's keyboard a bit slow. I could not write post responses nor browse the internet as heavily as I do with an ipad compared to a desktop. The ipad is useful for reading news and other things though because you can read from anywhere around the house especially in bed.

Phone - I think the ipad is a good size to have around at home but it's not really as mobile as a phone. You'll likely just leave it around the house. Would it be more convenient than a computer?

Overall I think the ipad has more novelty and some convenience, but it's more of an all around device than specialized for those 3 uses. I have access to a 25% discount for the ipad through a friend, but I haven't bought one because I think it's less convenient than a computer and phone separately.

[AceBarks]

No, but you do want one.

[disneysteve]

I got my wife an iPad for Mother's Day. All 3 of us use it, though, pretty much daily. Keep in mind that we have a 21" iMac desktop, DD has an iPod Touch and DW and I both have iPhones, so there is no shortage of connected devices in the house. So what does the iPad get used for?

Entertainment - Both games and streaming video. Although I have done it, watching a movie or TV show on the iPhone is really pushing it due to the screen size. As for games, there are numerous ones made just for the iPad. There are also many that while available for the iPhone/iPod are far more playable on the larger screen of the iPad. The iPad processor is also WAY faster than the iPhones so you get smooth motion and responsiveness, not the delays and choppiness on the phones.

Work - I do an ongoing medical research study that is iPhone/iPad based. At first, I was doing it on my phone but it took forever. I struggled through it since I am paid well for doing so but once I tried it on the iPad, I never went back. Between the large screen and the fast processor, it takes me a fraction of the time to enter the data as it used to.

Internet - We constantly use it for internet access, reading the forums, getting maps, checking restaurant menus, going on facebook, reading our e-mail, etc.

Travel - It is so easy to take along when we go out. It is kind of awkward to use our laptop in the car but using the iPad is a snap. We haven't flown since we got it but I'd imagine it would be a whole lot more convenient on a plane than a laptop. Plus with 3G service, we can have internet access while on the road as we did when we drove to Florida back in August.

Camera - It takes great photos and HD video. It is also a great way to show people your photos and videos - much nicer than showing them on your phone.

Reading - Both Kindle and Nook have iPad apps so you don't need to own a separate e-reader. My wife borrows e-books for free from our local library to read on the iPad. We both greatly prefer it to the Kindle.

Overall, I particularly like the speed. It comes on instantly and is ready to go. No boot up time to wait for. So if we want to look something up, it is much quicker to use the iPad than to go upstairs and start up the desktop.

That's all that comes to mind right now. So do you need one? Of course not. Nobody needs one. Are they nice to have? Absolutely.

[snafu]

Do you need it? nope, Will you use it? How do you imagine yourself using it? Where would you use it? home, work, restaurant, meetings, travel, while someone else is driving? Do you read, research information, stream movies or TV shows, take/send photos, use wifi, take/need details for meetings, follow investments, blogs, pod casts....

Have you carried out a plan that deserves a reward?

[jpg7n16]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I realize I said "do I need" - cause it was just easier than "would I use and be able to economically justify." I understand that no one needs one.

snafu - those are the types of questions I'm asking. I don't know what all you can do with one, so don't know if I'd use it, how I'd use it, or where I'd use it. No plan completed as a reward, just the standard family asking "what do you want for Christmas?"


Looks like the main uses are for travel, streaming movies, games, work and books.

I guess I could be asking the same question about if I need a laptop when I only have a desktop computer. (I don't have a laptop)


Been doing some more research just to see what all the iPad can do, and I seem to like some of the apps better than I like my internet here.

Def just a luxury that would be nice to have. Guess I just need to decide how many books I'd wanna use on it and if I need the mobility.


Just wondering, getting 3G is pretty a necessity, right? I mean otherwise you're at the mercy of WiFi availability for whatever you're looking to do. Just trying to see how much this would all cost.

[AceBarks]

I would highly recommend 3G if you can budget the $15 each month. It's great to be able to use it while in the car for directions or to find a good place to eat (urbanspoon app).

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by jpg7n16

Just wondering, getting 3G is pretty a necessity, right? I mean otherwise you're at the mercy of WiFi availability for whatever you're looking to do. Just trying to see how much this would all cost.

You guys may recall how long I debated getting an iPhone because of the cost of the data plan. What sold me on the 3G iPad without hesitation was one very important factor that you don't always hear about. You don't need to have 3G service all of the time. You can buy it month to month. There is no contract involved. Since getting the iPad in May, we've only paid for 3G service for one month - August - when we went to Florida. Other than that, we've been perfectly content with Wifi since 98% of the time, the iPad is used in our house and we have Wifi here.

So if you are traveling and want internet access, buy 3G for 30 days and cancel it at the end of the month until you need it again. Of course, if you will be out and about a lot, you may need to keep it but for us, that isn't the case.

[Like2Plan]

Originally Posted by jpg7n16

Do I need an iPad?

Yes.

[snafu]

jpg: is there something else you'd prefer/like as a gift? Do you have circumstances when it would have been more convenient to use a laptop? Being able to use your iPad from any location is certainly convenient, you're not tethered to cords. DH has likely saved more than the unit costs by researching prices/features and then comparing store bought to on-line costs for large and small purchases.

[Mr Nice Guy]

If you get an iPad, the 3G is a must in my opinion. It is the only thing the truly separates it from a laptop or netbook minus some apps.

I really enjoy the portability of a netbook, but do get 3G envy from time to time, as the only place I can get connected are at school and coffeshops. But I can get on the internet on my crappy phone if I absolutely must in a non wifi spot.

[jpg7n16]

Originally Posted by AceBarks

It's great to be able to use it while in the car for directions or to find a good place to eat (urbanspoon app).

For both of those, I already pay for and use my iPhone (and the Urbanspoon app )

Originally Posted by disneysteve

So if you are traveling and want internet access, buy 3G for 30 days and cancel it at the end of the month until you need it again. Of course, if you will be out and about a lot, you may need to keep it but for us, that isn't the case.

That's defintely good to know! Very interesting.

But it still costs an extra $130 up front to add the 3G ability to it. So that one month of 3G actually cost like $150 or so. I'd probably use it more often than that, so that would lower my average cost for the 3G coverage.

If only I could paid for medical surveys This would be a very simple decision if that were the case!

Originally Posted by snafu

jpg: is there something else you'd prefer/like as a gift?

Nope. I've pretty much asked exclusively for Amazon gift cards. I know I'll use them throughout the year to buy good deals online, but there's not really anything I want - except this.

Do you have circumstances when it would have been more convenient to use a laptop?

Sure. Recent coursework would have helped (but I've graduated, and don't know if I'm going back for a Masters anytime soon). Just being able to move around the apt while checking scores on the games would be nice. Something more to do on lunch break from work. Vacations here and there. Hanging out at friend's houses for the day, and wanting to check email or something. etc

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by jpg7n16

But it still costs an extra $130 up front to add the 3G ability to it.

True, but this is one of those cases where I'd urge people to spend the extra money even if you aren't sure you'll use the 3G service. You can't ever go back and add it if you only buy the Wifi version. I'd rather have the option there if I want it than buy the cheaper version and find I'm not happy with it or it doesn't meet my needs.

[Hector]

I dint read posting but ipad can not be a NEED for at least 99.99% people.

[NewBeginnings]

I would get a cheaper tablet or the new kindle fire

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

jpg7n16, I predict you are going to get one! I am the last adopter of any new technology, and as I am already thinking of it, it is surely your time to get one.